Molded shoe-counter.



1. HELMING. MOLDED SHOE COUNTER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN- 5 1916 1,197,624. Patented Sept. 12,1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HELMING, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

MOLDED SHOE-COUNTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

Application filed January 5, 1916. Serial No. 70,522.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it-known that I, JOHN HELMING, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of. Ohio,-have invented a new and useful Improvements in Molded Shoe-Coun-- ters, of which the following specification is a full disclosure.

This invention relates to molded counters for shoes.

An object of the invention is in adapting a molded counter for use in turned shoes, capable of being applied in position during the process of shoe manufacture, primarily after the upper and sole have been stitched together and turned for Second lasting.

Another object of the lnvention contemplates connectlng-or ]O1I11I1g the wing ends of the counter, at 1ts seat margins, preferably providing a strap or tie member secured to the opposing wing ends, qualifying as a means for anchoring the counter properly in its position within the shoe, preventing a shifting or creeping action and equalizing the counter strains upon opposite sides of the foot of the wearer, resulting in more permanently maintaining the shape of the shoe after it is worn. 1

Various other: features of the invention will be more fully revealed from the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, disclosing a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in such drawings like characters ofreference denote corresponding parts throughout the Fig. 2 is a Figure l is a view of a molded counter Q a process of manufacturing turned shoes, and in the application of a molded counter in turned shoes. In such connection, the invention herein is disclosed and referred to, although represented in a modified form as tothe details of construction from that herein.

As certainfeatures of the counter may be more readily apparent in its use in the manufacture of turned-shoes, the description will be confined to such use.-

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, the counter comprises a curved body portion 1 developing into relatively opposite wings 2, 3, and provided with the marginal inwardly turned base or seat flange 4, made from any suitable material, treated, out to pattern and pressed into shape by any process or in any manner known in the art;

The counter, as thus far-described, represents a finished commercial product now.. largely used the manufacture of welt shoes, possessing many advantageswell known to and recognized by the trade, without requiring further comment.

The ends of the wlngs 2, 3, are 1o1nedor united by a strap or connector secured tothe seat flange, and, as illustrated, comprises a folded tape 5 lapping over the end 'of the flange of each wing and secured thereto by a. staple 6. This presents the folded edge" forwardly or outwardly and assists in guiding the counter as it is being inserted in the manufacture of a turned shoe, under the process as described in the aforesaid application. The counter, in such process, 1s inserted between the layers formingthe upper, as the outer and lining layers, after the I upper has been stitched to the outer soles and in-a condition for a second lasting. The strap 5 extends transversely between the shank piece and the shank portion of the sole and'thus anchors the ends of the counter wings against any. separating or upward motion in the shoe or creaking ac tion between the upper layers. The counter at such end, therefor, completely embraces the foot at the shank portion .of the .shoe, assists in sustaining the foot arch, maintains the original shape of the counter, -all of which add to the comfort of the wearer. It is also advantageous in maintaining the shape of the counter when. nested together for packing and shipping purposes as an i 5 article of manufacture.

' Having described my invention, I e1aim:-

A molded counter as an article of manufacture, having a marginal seat flange, and. a, tape folded longitudinally with the fold witnesses.

portions embracing opposite end portions of 1 the flange and secured thereto.

In witness whereof, I "hereunto subscribe my name, asattested by the two subscribing JOHN HELMING. Witnesses o EMMA SPENER,-

L. BECK; 

